• Insider says govt wants joint session of parliament for legislation, debate on terrorism
• Law officers to get special allowance after president signs off on amendment
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting at the Presidency on Thursday to take stock of the political and security situation amid purported plans for convening a joint session of parliament in which some important pieces of legislation are expected to be tabled, besides discussions on rising incidents of terrorism.
A source told Dawn that the premier met the president because the government wanted to call a joint session of parliament. However, it was not clear what would be on the agenda of this sitting.
During the session, a debate on terrorism is also expected. It is likely that some top military officials could brief the house on terrorism, and the session might turn into an in-camera sitting.
The source also said the president and his team conveyed their displeasure to the prime minister over new net-metering regulations introduced by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority.
The PM was accompanied by a group of federal ministers, while the president was accompanied by legislators and senior party leaders.
According to a statement by the Presidency, the two sides reviewed the political, economic and security situation as well as the prevailing regional and global environment.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Senator Ahad Cheema, PM’s adviser Touqeer Shah, PM’s aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah, Senator Sherry Rehman and Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Allowance for attorneys
Meanwhile, President Zardari approved an amendment introducing a special allowance for long-serving additional attorneys general. The president signed the summary on the advice of the PM, approving an amendment to the terms and conditions of service of additional, deputy and assistant attorneys general.
The amendment introduces a special allowance for additional attorneys general who have served for more than 10 years in the capacity of assistant attorney general.
The measure is intended to recognise sustained service within the law officers’ cadre and to provide structured financial consideration for those who have completed over a decade in the role of assistant attorney general before elevation. The amendment will take effect in accordance with the approved summary.
In a separate meeting with a four-member delegation of Turkiye’s Agricultural Technologies Cluster (TUME), led by its Board Chairman Abdulkadir Karagoz, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan desired to strengthen its relations with Turkiye and enhance bilateral economic partnership, particularly in the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2026
